Published: Sunday, June 29, 2014 at 04:30 PM.

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William Morris, owner of Morris Barbecue and a member of the Hookerton Beautification Committee, said the celebration was a great way to showcase what the town brought to surrounding areas, while bringing fellowship among residents.

“We’re out here to beautify the town and make something happen, and it was truly happening here (Saturday),” Morris said. “I hope next year we have a good turnout, good weather and even more people.”

The Hookerton Beautification Committee held its second annual Hometown Celebration on Main Street, bringing out hundreds of residents and people from out of town with an assortment of games, food, shops, music and events.

Jennifer Bray, president of the committee, said rain forced the postponement of last year’s event twice.

“This year we kept praying the rain away from here,” Bray said. “We had sunny skies and I knew it had rained in other areas because we had vendors from Grifton asking if we were still having the event. We had sunny skies.”

The good weather was an added bonus to a celebration which had seen an increase in vendors and population.

“We had about 30 vendors last year and 50 this year,” Hookerton Beautification Committee Secretary Marie Coward said. “It’s so much bigger than it was last year, and we had more new things such as bounce houses and trains for the kids, ice cream, cotton candy and a cornhole tournament.”

The tournament attracted Walstonburg resident Matt Howard, who also said he had the opportunity to dunk an esteemed official at the celebration.

Hookerton Planning Board Chairman Junior Harper also volunteered for the dunking booth, saying it was his civic duty to participate.

“I live less than a block away, so I want to involve myself in the town as much as possible,” Harper said.

Kimberly Taylor is a senior creator with Initials Inc., a company that sells monogrammed purses. She said the reception was good and enjoyed the celebration.

“It’s a fun, family-oriented event and it provides the community with something to do on a Saturday evening,” Taylor said.

Snow Hill resident Warren Johnson said he came out to the event for his 9-year old daughter, Madison.

“She likes the rides, games, music and the clown,” Johnson said.

Mahogany Hooker, 12, said she had a great time.

“It’s a fun event, and I liked everything about it,” Hooker said.

William Morris, owner of Morris Barbecue and a member of the Hookerton Beautification Committee, said the celebration was a great way to showcase what the town brought to surrounding areas, while bringing fellowship among residents.

“We’re out here to beautify the town and make something happen, and it was truly happening here (Saturday),” Morris said. “I hope next year we have a good turnout, good weather and even more people.”